https://youtu.be/SyqNtJSQvZoA gust of chilly air stings your cheeks as you pull your bomber jacket tighter before examining the apartment callbox closer. The name hardly leaves any room for misinterpretation, but you’ve always been a stickler for showing up a few minutes early–a habit you picked up from your delivery gig.
Checking your phone one more time, you know at this point it’s just <span class="mu-i">numbers</span> greeting you on the screen–if Pepper’s ready, she’s ready! If not, well… you probably won’t have to wait long.
Pressing the scratched-up button next to her surname, you shift your weight from foot to foot as a muffled dial tone reverberates around the apartment entrance! You probably get about two full rings before a familiar, crackly voice answers… but not the one you expected!
“<span class="mu-i">Hello?</span>”
You almost want to stay silent, but it’s too late to back down now… hey, Jake, you reply, you’re uh… y-
“<span class="mu-i">Diesel!</span>” Remarks Jake’s disembodied voice enthusiastically, “<span class="mu-i">You’re here early! Hold on, I’ll show you in...</span>”
The call ends before you can respond. Seconds later, however, a sharp buzz rings out from the gate leading to the building lobby! Yanking the door open, you gently close the gate behind you and take position next to a long-dried up fountain next to a bank of mailboxes along the wall!
You probably wait for a minute or so before you hear footsteps from further in the building. Sure enough, a familiar head of red hair peeks around the corner attached to a slightly less uptight-looking brother!
“You made it.” Jake observes with a friendly smile on his face, “Was the drive okay?”
Yea, you shrug, you’re used to speeding through <span class="mu-i">much</span> worse–you found parking right away, too.
“Right, pizza delivery…” He nods as he shoves his hands into the pockets of his <span class="mu-s">SOUTH OAKS BOXING GYM HOODIE!</span> “Well don’t worry–I’m just the doorman tonight. Pepper’s just finishing up.”
Beckoning you to follow, Jake leads the way along a cement walkway through a somewhat unkempt garden in the center of the complex. “I know you don’t need it, but a word of advice: she’s been stressing about this all week, so…” The brother punctuates his sentence with a vague hand gesture. “Go easy on her, Crash.”
Wouldn’t have it any other way, you counter! You’ve been anxious too, truth be told.
“HAH! Could’ve fooled me!” Replies Jake with a good-natured laugh. “You’ll do fine, don’t worry.”
It still unnerves you to see Jake this… <span class="mu-i">friendly</span>, but the guy <span class="mu-i">did</span> seem intent on changing. Following his lead up a stairwell, you decide to…
>ASK WHAT HE’S BEEN UP TO!>INQUIRE ABOUT HIS FUTURE PLANS!>FISH FOR MORE PEPPER ADVICE!>JUST STAY QUIET. YOU’RE HERE TO TAKE HIS SISTER OUT–HE MUST BE MORTIFIED.>WRITE-IN! 